🎤 Small Changes, More Listeners (Issue 107)

Prologue

People Make Mistakes

Any idea what keyboard key you hit the most?

An informal study by a blogger Jamie Todd Rubin says it's the backspace key. In the study, it made up 8.8% of all keystrokes (about 9 presses for every 100 keystrokes made).

In speech, "fluency" refers to continuity, smoothness, rate, and effort in speech production. Disfluentcy, which we all are at times, is being hesitant when speaking, using fillers (“like” or “uh”), or repeating a word or phrase.

We don't have a backspace when speaking, but we can edit our speech afterward and before people hear it.

I see some podcasters who say, "I never edit" as if it's a sign of strength. And it would be, if you didn't need to edit. But like I said – people make mistakes.

When you take care of listeners, they'll take care of you. And if you want to grow your podcast, you need to edit. Or you need to hire an editor.

This issue of Big Podcast Insider is about little things you can do with your podcast to get big results. Like to listen? Get the audio version here.

Any questions? Need help? Reach out to me via Twitter or Mastodon.

Not yet on Mastodon? Here's an invite to a server just for podcasters.

Podcaster Opportunities

Elevate Collective for Podcasters — $10,000 Grants Available

Elevate for Podcasters is the first program created specifically for disabled, narrative fiction, and non-fiction podcasters. The program offers $10,000 grants that can be used for professional development, show marketing, equipment, accommodations, IP licensing, and living expenses.

Disabled Voice Actors - The Disabled Voice Actors Database

You probably remember the story of Hank Azaria walking away from voicing Apu, the Indian immigrant who runs the Kwik-E-Mart on The Simpsons. And we've seen similar things happening in the world of voiceover, such as the voice of Cleveland Brown (Family Guy) being taken over by Arif Zahir.

Get the story here.

Why? Modern audiences want authentic character voices.

The same thing applies to "disabled" characters and voices. And that's where The Disabled Voice Actors Database comes in.

If you're looking for something more authentic in your casting of disabled people, you will find this database helpful. And you may be a good match for being included in the database yourself.

RELATED: When I was in college, I lived with (and took care of) a quadriplegic roommate for a couple years. I've been embedded in this world and I've got a lot more to say on this topic, which you can hear in the audio edition of this issue. Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast to get that.

Queer Vox – The LGBTQIA+ VO Talent Directory

Speaking of authentic talent ...

The Queer Vox LGBTQIA+ VO Directory is a database of queer/trans VO talent. With multiple filter options, an easy submission process, and password-protected access, it's a resource for casting authentic LGBTQIA+ talent.

Again, I'll have more thoughts in the audio edition of this issue. Subscribe to Build a Big Podcast to get that.

Podcast Production

Want Better Podcast Guests? Try This ...

You and I both know the advantages of being a guest on podcasts, but do the people you're trying to interview? Maybe not.

Tristan Pelligrino suggests using ListenNotes to do research on people via podcasts and understanding this will help you to pitch your podcast to potential guests. It's very clever and, if you're looking for a good way to book established guests, you will find it helpful.

Here's what he says podcast interviews are good for:

Find a supporting quote for your next blog post
Identify an industry expert to interview on your company’s podcast
Listen to a conversation featuring a decision-maker at one of your key accounts
Pinpoint key phrases and learn how your ideal customers explain their challenges
Understand the mission and vision of an organization before you go into a job interview

It's good for thought and may be a better way for you to sell the opportunity to be a guest on your podcast.